Pilot of Rooftop CST and CPV-T Solar Energy Systems

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(Project closed 7 November 2014) Chromasun was partnering with the Futuris Group of Companies to develop and establish an Australian pilot manufacturing capability for the Chromasun Micro-Concentrator (MCT) concentrating solar thermal (CST) product. ARENA’s funding commitment was $3.4 million. Urban roofs could be better used with the development of a rooftop solar energy product that generates thermal, not electrical, energy suitable for heating and cooling buildings.Project innovationChromasun was partnering with the Futuris Group of Companies to develop and establish an Australian pilot manufacturing capability for its two rooftop solar technologies: a micro-concentrating solar thermal (MCT) panel and a concentrating solar photovoltaic (CPV-T) hybrid panel. The CPV-T receivers would have been integrated into the MCT hybrid units to enable both electricity and hot water to be produced.The ability to efficiently generate temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celcius would enable the MCT hybrid technology to easily couple with process heat loads such as thermally-driven air conditioning technologies proposed in the pilot deployments.This project has now ceased due to Chromasun going into liquidation.BenefitThe project intended to combine the ease of installation and maintenance of a flat solar panel with the performance and efficiency of utility scale CSP systems.

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